U.S. patent number 9,701,801 [Application Number 14/933,026] was granted by the patent office on 2017-07-11 for use of nucleation to improve slip bloom in metallocene polypropylene resins.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.. Invention is credited to Ruby L. Curtis, Mark Leland.
United States Patent |
9,701,801 |
Leland , et al. |
July 11, 2017 |
Use of nucleation to improve slip bloom in metallocene
polypropylene resins
Abstract
A process includes combining a metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene with a nucleator and a slip agent to form a
composition, and forming a cast film from the composition. The slip
agent may exhibit an increased slip bloom rate within the cast film
relative to the slip bloom rate exhibited by the slip agent in an
otherwise identical cast film in which the nucleator is not present
in the cast film. The cast film may exhibit a coefficient of
friction that is less than a coefficient of friction of an
otherwise identical cast film in which the nucleator is not present
in the cast film.
Inventors: |
Leland; Mark (Houston, TX),
Curtis; Ruby L. (League City, TX) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Houston,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
58662675 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/933,026 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170130015 A1 |
May 11, 2017 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C
48/08 (20190201); B29C 48/0018 (20190201); C08K
5/523 (20130101); C08K 5/20 (20130101); C08K
5/098 (20130101); C08J 5/18 (20130101); B29C
48/92 (20190201); C08K 5/0083 (20130101); B29C
48/022 (20190201); B29C 48/21 (20190201); B29B
7/007 (20130101); B29C 48/914 (20190201); B29B
7/00 (20130101); B29B 13/022 (20130101); C08K
5/20 (20130101); C08L 23/12 (20130101); C08K
5/098 (20130101); C08L 23/12 (20130101); C08K
5/523 (20130101); C08L 23/12 (20130101); C08K
5/0083 (20130101); C08L 23/10 (20130101); B29C
2948/92704 (20190201); B29B 7/42 (20130101); C08J
2323/12 (20130101); B29L 2007/008 (20130101); B29B
7/484 (20130101); B29K 2023/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C08J
5/18 (20060101); B29B 13/00 (20060101); B29C
47/00 (20060101); C08K 5/098 (20060101); C08K
5/20 (20060101); B29B 13/02 (20060101); B29C
47/88 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Polypropylene Cast Film, Borealis, published in 2006. cited by
examiner .
George W. Schael, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2003, 10(4),
653-661. cited by examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Vu A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Shung; Albert
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A process comprising: combining a metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene with a nucleator and a slip agent to form a
composition, wherein the amount of nucleator combined with the
metallocene catalyzed polypropylene is adjusted to achieve a
coefficient of friction of less than 0.5; and forming a cast film
from the composition, wherein the cast film has a coefficient of
friction at least 90% less than an otherwise identical cast film in
which the nucleator is not present, wherein the coefficient of
friction is measured in accordance with ASTM D1894.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein combining the metallocene
catalyzed polypropylene with the nucleator and the slip agent
comprises melt compounding the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene
with the nucleator and the slip agent.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein forming the cast film from the
composition comprises extruding the composition in a molten state
through a slot or die with one or more orifices, wherein the
composition in the molten state exits through the slot or die as a
molten plaque and is uniaxially stretched while being taken up onto
a chill roller and cooled to produce the cast film.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein the metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene is a homopolymer.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein the metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene is present in the composition in an amount ranging
from 80 weight percent to 99.9 weight percent, based on a total
weight of the composition.
6. The process of claim 1, wherein the nucleator comprises a
carboxylic acid salt, talc, silica, zinc oxide, a phosphate, a
metallic-silicate hydrate, an organic derivative of dibenzylidene
sorbitol, a sorbitol acetal, an organophosphate salt, or
combinations thereof.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein the nucleator comprises sodium
2,2'-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate; or has the
chemical structure: ##STR00003##
8. The process of claim 1, wherein the nucleator is present in the
composition in an amount ranging from 0.05 weight percent to 10
weight percent, based on a total weight of the composition.
9. The process of claim 1, wherein the slip agent comprises a
stearate, a stearamide, an oleamide, behenamide, erucamide, or
combinations thereof.
10. The process of claim 1, wherein the slip agent comprises
cis-13-docosenoamide.
11. The process of claim 1, wherein the slip agent is present in
the composition in an amount ranging from 0.05 weight percent to 10
weight percent, based on a total weight of the composition.
12. A process for increasing a slip bloom rate of a slip agent
within a cast film and for decreasing a coefficient of friction of
the cast film, the process comprising: combining a metallocene
catalyzed polypropylene with a nucleator and the slip agent to form
a composition; forming the cast film from the composition; wherein
the slip agent exhibits an increased slip bloom rate within the
cast film relative to the slip bloom rate exhibited by the slip
agent in an otherwise identical cast film in which the nucleator is
not present in the cast film; and wherein the step of combining a
metallocene catalyzed polypropylene with a nucleator comprises
adjusting the amount of nucleator to achieve a coefficient of
friction that is at least 90% less than a coefficient of friction
of an otherwise identical cast film in which the nucleator is not
present in the cast film, wherein the coefficient of friction is
measured in accordance with ASTM D1894.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
FIELD
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to cast
films of polypropylene. More particularly, embodiments relate to
cast films of nucleated metallocene catalyzed polypropylene.
BACKGROUND
A variety of products utilize polyolefin materials in various
manufacturing processes to create a variety of finished goods
including cast films. Cast films are typically used in the wrapping
or packaging of various products in commerce. Cast films may be
used in many types of applications, such as packaging, stretch
films, diaper backing, labels, release liners, toys, games,
sporting goods, medical devices, and food containers among many
others.
Slip agents may be used in the manufacture of cast films to modify
the coefficient of friction of the final film. Typically, cast
films produced with metallocene catalyzed polypropylene exhibit a
higher coefficient of friction than cast films produced with
Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene, including when the cast
films contain the same type and amount of slip agent.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides for a process. The process includes
combining a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene with a nucleator
and a slip agent to form a composition. The process includes
forming a cast film from the composition.
The present disclosure provides for a process for increasing a slip
bloom rate of a slip agent in a cast film and for decreasing a
coefficient of friction of the cast film. The process includes
combining a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene with a nucleator
and the slip agent to form a composition. The process includes
forming the cast film from the composition. The slip agent exhibits
an increased slip bloom rate within the cast film relative to the
slip bloom rate exhibited by the slip agent in an otherwise
identical cast film in which the nucleator is not present in the
cast film. The cast film exhibits a coefficient of friction that is
less than a coefficient of friction of an otherwise identical cast
film in which the nucleator is not present in the cast film.
The present disclosure provides for a cast film. The cast film
includes a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene, a slip agent, and a
nucleator.
The present disclosure provides for a cast film. The cast film
includes a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene, a slip agent, and a
nucleator. The slip agent exhibits an increased slip bloom rate
within the cast film relative to the slip bloom rate exhibited by
the slip agent in an otherwise identical cast film in which the
nucleator is not present in the cast film. The cast film exhibits a
coefficient of friction that is less than a coefficient of friction
of an otherwise identical cast film in which the nucleator is not
present in the cast film.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present disclosure may be understood from the following
detailed description when read with the accompanying FIGURE.
FIGURE depicts a graph of coefficient of friction versus time in
accordance with the Example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A detailed description will now be provided. The following
disclosure includes specific embodiments, versions and examples,
but the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, versions or
examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary
skill in the art to make and use the disclosure when the
information in this application is combined with available
information and technology.
Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term
used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the
broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that
term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents.
Further, unless otherwise specified, all compounds described herein
may be substituted or unsubstituted and the listing of compounds
includes derivatives thereof.
Further, various ranges and/or numerical limitations may be
expressly stated below. It should be recognized that unless stated
otherwise, it is intended that endpoints are to be interchangeable.
Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such
express ranges or limitations should be understood to include
iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within
the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to
about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11,
0.12, 0.13, etc.).
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a process.
The process may include combining a metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene with a nucleator and a slip agent to form a
composition. The combining may include compounding the metallocene
catalyzed polypropylene with the nucleator and the slip agent. The
compounding may include melt compounding the metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene with the nucleator and the slip agent. In some
embodiments, melt-compounding may be performed by melt extrusion of
the composition in an extruder, such as a single or twin screw
extruder. The metallocene catalyzed polypropylene, nucleator, and
slip agent may be combined in any order. For example and without
limitation, the nucleator and slip agent may be combined first, and
subsequently combined with the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene.
The metallocene catalyzed polypropylene may be combined with the
nucleator first, and subsequently combined with the slip agent. The
metallocene catalyzed polypropylene may be combined with the slip
agent first, and subsequently combined with the nucleator. Also,
the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene may be simultaneously
combined with the nucleator and slip agent.
The process may include forming a cast film from the composition.
Forming the cast film may include extruding the composition in a
molten state through a slot or die with one or more orifices. The
composition may exit through the slot or die as a molten plaque and
be uniaxially stretched while being taken up onto a chill roller
and cooled to produce the cast film. The chill roller may be
water-cooled, chrome-plated, or both. In some embodiments, air from
an air knife or vacuum box may contact the molten plaque on the
chill roller to cool or quench the molten plaque. Extrusion of the
molten composition may occur at a temperature ranging from
150.degree. C. to 350.degree. C., 180.degree. C. to 350.degree. C.,
160.degree. C. to 275.degree. C., 175.degree. C. to 225.degree. C.,
190.degree. C. to 280.degree. C., 200.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.,
or 200.degree. C. to 215.degree. C., for example.
In some embodiments, the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene is in
the form of polymer pellets or fluff when added to the extruder. In
some embodiments, the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene,
nucleator and slip agent are combined in the same extruder within
which extrusion of the cast film occurs.
In some embodiments, the process includes use of multiple extruders
that extrude more than one layer that are contacted together after
extrusion to produce a multilayered film that can be collectively
taken up onto a chill roller where it is cooled to produce a
multilayered cast film. Bonding layers or adhesives may be used
between layers of the multilayered cast film. In some embodiments,
no bonding layers or adhesives are used between layers of the
multilayered cast film.
The metallocene catalyzed polypropylene may be present in the
composition in an amount ranging from 80 to 99.9 weight percent, 85
to 98 weight percent, or 90 to 95 weight percent, all based on a
total weight of the composition.
The metallocene catalyzed polypropylene may have at least 50 weight
percent, or at least 60 weight percent, or at least 70 weight
percent, or at least 75 weight percent, or at least 80 weight
percent, or at least 85 weight percent, or at least 90 weight
percent, or at least 95 weight percent, or at least 99 weight
percent, or 100 weight percent propylene relative to a total weight
of metallocene catalyzed polypropylene.
The metallocene catalyzed polypropylene may be a propylene
homopolymer, a propylene random copolymer, or a propylene impact
copolymer. In some embodiments, the metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene may be a "mini-random" polypropylene. A mini-random
polypropylene has less than about 1.0 weight percent of
comonomer.
In some embodiments, the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene is a
syndiotactic polypropylene, an isotactic polypropylene, or an
atactic polypropylene. As used herein, the term "isotactic
polypropylene" refers to polypropylene in which all the
substituents are located on the same side of the polymer chain. As
used herein, the term "syndiotactic polypropylene" refers to
polypropylene in which the substituents have alternating positions
along the polymer chain. As used herein, the term "atactic
polypropylene" refers to polypropylene in which the substituents
are randomly distributed at positions along the polymer chain.
As used herein, "metallocene catalyzed polypropylene" refers to a
polypropylene that has been catalyzed in the presence of a
metallocene catalyst. Metallocene catalysts may be characterized as
coordination compounds incorporating one or more cyclopentadienyl
(Cp) groups coordinated with a transition metal through .pi.
bonding. The Cp groups may be substituted or unsubstituted. For
substituted Cp groups, each substitution may be the same or
different. The substituent groups on the Cp groups may be linear,
branched or cyclic hydrocarbyl radicals. The cyclic hydrocarbyl
radicals may further form other contiguous ring structures,
including, but not limited to, indenyl, azulenyl and fluorenyl
groups. These contiguous ring structures may be further substituted
or unsubstituted by hydrocarbyl radicals, such as C.sub.1 to
C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl radicals. Metallocene catalysts are often
employed as unsupported or homogenous catalysts, although they may
also be employed in supported catalyst components. Metallocene
catalysts may be used with aluminoxanes as cocatalysts or
activators, such as methylaluminoxane (MAO). In some embodiments,
the Cp groups may be bound to a metal selected from hafnium,
lanthanoid, and transition metals of groups IVA, VA, and VIA.
Lumicene.RTM. M3661 is an example of a metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene in accordance with certain embodiments. Lumicene.RTM.
M3661 is a metallocene catalyzed isotactic propylene homopolymer.
Lumicene.RTM. M3661 is available from Total Petrochemicals &
Refining USA, Inc. Table 1 lists some typical properties of
Lumicene.RTM. M3661.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Lumicene .RTM. M3661 Property Test Method
Unit Melt Flow D-1238 (2.16 kg, 14 g/10 min. 230.degree. C.)
Tensile Strength at Break - D-882, A 5800 psi Machine Direction
Tensile Strength at Break - D-882, A 5500 psi Transverse Direction
Elongation at Break - D-882, A 720% Machine Direction Elongation at
Break - D-882, A 810% Transverse Direction 1% Secant Modulus -
D-882, A 81 kpsi Machine Direction 1% Secant Modulus - D-882, A 82
kpsi Transverse Direction Haze D-1003 0.4% Gloss, 45.degree. D-2457
81 Density D-1505 0.9 g/cc Melting Point DCS-2 Differential 302F
(150.degree. C.) Scanning Calorimeter
In Table 1, the tensile strength at break, elongation at break, 1%
secant modulus, haze, and gloss, 45.degree. were determined on a 2
mils (50 .mu.m) non-oriented film.
In embodiments, the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene may have a
density of from 0.895 g/cc to 0.920 g/cc, from 0.900 g/cc to 0.915
g/cc, from 0.905 g/cc to 0.915 g/cc, or 0.9 g/cc as determined in
accordance with ASTM D1505; a melting point of from 145.degree. C.
to 170.degree. C., from 150.degree. C. to 168.degree. C., from
160.degree. C. to 165.degree. C., or 150.degree. C. as determined
by differential scanning calorimetry; and a melt flow rate of from
0.5 g/10 min. to 50 g/10 min., or from 1.0 g/10 min. to 25 g/10
min., or from 1.5 g/10 min. to 15.0 g/10 min., or 14 g/10 min as
determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 condition "L" (2.16 kg,
230.degree. C.).
The nucleator may be present in the composition in an amount
ranging from 0.05 to 10 weight percent, 0.05 to 5 weight percent,
0.8 to 4 weight percent, or 1.0 to 3.5 weight percent, or 0.06
weight percent, each based on the total weight of the
composition.
The nucleator may be a carboxylic acid salt, including sodium
benzoate; talc; silica; zinc oxide; a phosphate; a
metallic-silicate hydrate; an organic derivative of dibenzylidene
sorbitol; a sorbitol acetal; an organophosphate salt; or
combinations thereof. For example and without limitation, the
nucleator may be AMFINE.RTM. Na-11.RTM., commercially available
from Amfine Chemical; or and HYPERFORM.RTM. HPN-68L, commercially
available from Milliken Chemical; or combinations thereof.
Na-11.RTM. is or contains sodium
2,2'-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate.
HYPERFORM.RTM. HPN-68L is or contains the chemical structure
(I):
##STR00001##
In some embodiments, the nucleator is sodium
2,2'-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate. In some
embodiments, the nucleator has the chemical structure (I). Other
examples of commercially available nucleators that may be used
include, but are not limited to: Millad.RTM. 3988
(1,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol), Millad.RTM. 3940
(1,3-2,4-di-(4-tolylidene)-D-sorbitol), Millad.RTM. 3905
(1,3-2,4-di-(benzylidene)-D-sorbitol), Millad.RTM. NX8000, and
HYPERFORM.RTM. HPN 20e (containing 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid
calcium salt), each available from Milliken Chemicals;
Irgaclear.RTM. XT 386
(1,3,5-tris-[2,2-dimethylpropionylamino]benzene), commercially
available from Ciba.RTM.; and ADK NA-21, ADK NA-27, and ADK NA-71,
which are phosphate salts commercially available from Amfine
Chemicals. The slip agent may be an additive that provides surface
lubrication during and immediately following processing, such as
extrusion, of the composition. The slip agent may be present in the
composition in an amount ranging from 0.05 to 10 weight percent,
0.05 to 5 weight percent, 0.1 to 3 weight percent, or 0.1 to 1.0
weight percent, or 0.17 weight percent, all based on the total
weight of the composition.
The slip agent may be an amide based slip agent. In some
embodiments, the slip agent is a wax. The slip agent may include a
stearate, such as calcium or zinc stearate; a stearamide, such as
ethylene bis-stearamide (EBS); an oleamide; behenamide; erucamide;
or combinations thereof. For example and without limitation the
slip agent may be cis-13-docosenoamide.
In certain embodiments, the process includes reducing the
coefficient of friction (COF) of a cast film of a composition
containing a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene and a slip agent,
and increasing a slip boom rate of the slip agent within the cast
film. Reducing the COF and increasing the slip boom rate may be
performed by adding the nucleator to the composition. COF,
sometimes symbolized by .mu., is a dimensionless scalar value. COF
is the ratio of the force of friction between two bodies and the
force pressing the two bodies together. COF may be represented by
the following equation: f=.mu.F.sub.n, in which f is frictional
force, .mu. is the COF, and F.sub.n is the normal force. As used
herein, the COF is measured in accordance with ASTM D1894. For
example, the COF of the cast film may be the force required to
slide one layer of the cast film across another adjacent layer of
the cast film, relative to the force exerted on the cast film. For
example and without limitation, the COF may be measured in
accordance with ASTM D1894 using commercially available
instrumentation known to those skilled in the art, such as the
Coefficient of Friction Fixture, Model No. 2810-005, available from
INSTRON.RTM.. The COFs disclosed herein may be average COFs
determined by averaging multiple COF measurements. Without being
bound by theory, it is believed that the use of nucleation in
conjunction with the slip agent in metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene increases the slip bloom rate of the slip agent in
the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene, and that the increase in
the slip bloom rate decreases the COF. "Slip bloom rate" as used
herein refers to the rate of diffusion of the slip agent to a
surface of the cast film after extrusion of the cast film.
Certain embodiments relate to a cast film. In some embodiments, the
cast film is made by the process described herein. The cast film
includes the composition as describe herein, including the
metallocene catalyzed polypropylene as described herein, the slip
agent as described herein, and the nucleator as described
herein.
In certain embodiments, the cast film exhibits a COF that is less
than a COF of an otherwise identical cast film in which the
nucleator is not present in the cast film. In some embodiments, the
cast film exhibits a COF that is at least 99%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%,
50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or 10% lower than the COF of an otherwise
identical cast film in which the nucleator is not present in the
cast film. For example, if the COF for an otherwise identical cast
film were 2.5 and the COF for the cast film were 99% lower than the
COF of the otherwise identical cast film, then the COF of the cast
film would be 0.025.
In some embodiments, the COF of the cast film is less than 1.00,
less than 0.90, less than 0.80, less than 0.70, less than 0.60,
less than 0.50, less than 0.40, or less than 0.30.
In some embodiments, the COF of the cast film decreases for at
least a period of time after formation of the cast film. For
example, t=0 may be defined as the time at which formation of the
cast film is complete, that is, the time of extrusion of the cast
film. In some embodiments, the COF of the cast film is lower when
t>0, that is, at a time after formation of the cast film. For at
least a portion of time, the COF of the cast film may decrease as t
increases. For example and without limitation, the COF of the cast
film at 1 day after formation of the cast film may be lower than
the COF of the cast film at the time at which formation of the cast
film is complete (COF.sub.initial). The COF of the cast film at 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 days after formation of the cast film
may be lower than COF.sub.initial. Without being bound by theory,
the decrease in the COF of the cast film over time may be due to
the migration of the slip agent to the surface of the cast film,
resulting in an increasing concentration of the slip agent at the
surface of the cast film over time.
In certain embodiments, the cast film exhibits a COF that is equal
to or less than a COF of an otherwise identical cast film in which
the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene is replaced with a
Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene. As used herein
"Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene" refers to polypropylene
polymerized in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.
Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems may be formed from the combination
of a metal component, for example a catalyst precursor, with one or
more additional components, such as a catalyst support, a
cocatalyst and/or one or more electron donors. An example of a
Ziegler-Natta catalyst includes a metal component represented by
the formula (II): MR.sup.A.sub.x; (II)
In formula II, M is a transition metal; R.sup.A is a halogen, an
alkoxy or a hydrocarboxyl group; and x is the valence of the
transition metal. For example, x may be from 1 to 4.
In some embodiments, the cast film is a multilayer cast film, which
may be formed by the process described herein. In some embodiments,
one or more layers of the multilayer cast film may be a solid
substrate, such as paper or cardboard.
Articles may be formed from the cast films disclosed herein. The
articles may include, but are not limited to, stretch films, health
and hygiene articles (e.g., diapers), release liners, tapes,
stand-up pouches, shrink wrap, heavy-duty bags and shipping sacks,
carrier envelopes, food packaging, tissue and towel overwraps, pet
food backs, industrial films, cling films, personal care films,
high clarity films and labels.
In some embodiments, the cast film may contain one or more
additives other than the slip agent and nucleator. The additives
other than the slip agent and nucleator may include, but are not
limited to, fillers such as calcium carbonate; pigments;
antioxidants; stabilizers; anti-corrosion agents; UV stabilizing
agents; and antiblock agents. In some embodiments, the additives
other than the slip agent and nucleator may be present in the cast
film or composition in an amount ranging from 0.01 to 5 weight
percent, 0.01 to 1 weight percent, or 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent,
all based on the total weight of the cast film or composition. In
some embodiments, the cast film does not contain any additives
other than the slip agent and nucleator.
EXAMPLES
The disclosure having been generally described, the following
examples show particular embodiments of the disclosure. It is
understood that the example is given by way of illustration and is
not intended to limit the specification or the claims. All
compositions percentages given in the examples are by weight.
Tests were performed to determine whether the use of nucleation in
conjunction with a slip agent in a metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene would yield a cast film with a reduced COF relative
to an identical metallocene catalyzed polypropylene in the absence
of nucleation.
Three samples containing an isotactic metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene homopolymer, Lumicene.RTM. M3661, were prepared.
Sample A was a control sample, and was prepared by compounding
Lumicene.RTM. M3661 with 0.17 weight percent erucamide
(cis-13-docosenoamide) as a slip agent. Sample A did not include a
nucleator. After compounding, a 2 mil cast film of Sample A was
formed (M3661 Control).
Sample B was prepared by compounding Lumicene.RTM. M3661 with 0.17
weight percent erucamide and 0.06 weight percent HYPERFORM.RTM.
HPN-68L as a nucleator having the chemical structure:
##STR00002##
After compounding, a 2 mil cast film of Sample B was formed
(M3661/HPN-68L).
Sample C was prepared by compounding Lumicene.RTM. M3661 with 0.17
weight percent erucamide and 0.06 weight percent NA-11.RTM. (sodium
2,2'-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate) as a
nucleator. After compounding, a 2 mil cast film of Sample C was
formed (M3661/NA-11).
Additionally, three samples containing a Ziegler-Natta catalyzed
polypropylene were prepared. The Ziegler-Natta catalyzed
polypropylene used was 3575, which is a controlled rheology
polypropylene resin available from Total Petrochemicals &
Refining USA, Inc., and had a target melt flow of 14 g/10 min. to
match the melt flow of Lumicene.RTM. M3661.
Sample D was a control sample, and was prepared by compounding 3575
with 0.17 weight percent erucamide as a slip agent. Sample D did
not include a nucleator. After compounding, a 2 mil cast film of
Sample D was formed (3575 Control).
Sample E was prepared by compounding 3575 with 0.17 weight percent
erucamide and 0.06 weight percent HYPERFORM.RTM. HPN-68L as a
nucleator. After compounding, a 2 mil cast film of Sample E was
formed (3575/HPN-68L).
Sample F was prepared by compounding 3575 with 0.17 weight percent
erucamide and 0.06 weight percent NA-11.RTM. as a nucleator. After
compounding, a 2 mil cast film of Sample F was formed
(3575/NA-11).
Cuts of each 2 mil cast film produced from Samples A, B, C, D, E
and F were taken for measurement of average COF. The average COF on
each film sample was measured over a six inch distance using the
Coefficient of Friction Fixture, Model No. 2810-005, available from
INSTRON.RTM. and BLUEHILL.RTM. software, in accordance with ASTM
D1894. A cut of each film sample was taped to a base plate of the
Coefficient of Friction Fixture, and a second cut of each film
sample was attached to the underside of a sled of the Coefficient
of Friction Fixture. The sled with the second cut of film was
forced across the first cut of film on the base for a distance of
six inches, such that the second cut of film slid across the first
cut of film. The Coefficient of Friction Fixture and BLUEHILL.RTM.
software calculated the average COF for each film sample. Testing
for each sample was performed until the standard deviation of the
COF of at least three runs came within 10% of the mean value. The
FIGURE is a graph plotting the COF of the cast films produced for
this example versus time (in days). In the FIGURE, "Green" on the
x-axis is the time upon formation of the cast films, t=0, that is,
the time of extrusion of the cast film. The cast film of Sample A
(M3661 Control), has the highest initial COF, which decreases until
3 days after formation of the cast film. After three days from
formation of the cast film of Sample A (M3661 Control), the COF
begins to increase.
Contrary to the metallocene catalyzed polypropylene control sample,
the cast film of Sample D (3575 Control), had a substantially lower
initial COF upon formation, and the COF continued to decrease
through eight days after formation of the cast film. Thus, cast
films containing Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene and a slip
agent exhibit a lower COF than cast films containing metallocene
catalyzed polypropylene and a slip agent without a nucleator.
The cast films of Sample B (M3661/HPN-68L) and Sample C
(M3661/NA-11) both exhibited initial COFs that were lower than the
COF of the cast film of Sample A (M3661 Control) and lower than the
COF of the cast film of Sample D (3575 Control). Also, the COFs of
the cast films of Sample B (M3661/HPN-68L) and Sample C
(M3661/NA-11) continued to decrease through eight days after
formation of the cast films.
The cast films of Sample E (3575/HPN-68L) and Sample F (3575/NA-11)
both exhibited initial COFs that were lower than the COF of the
cast film of Sample D (3575 Control). Also, the COFs of the cast
films of Sample E (3575/HPN-68L) and Sample F (3575/NA-11)
continued to decrease through eight days after formation of the
cast films. Thus, addition of a nucleator to a cast film
composition containing Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene and a
slip agent resulted in a decrease in COF in the cast film.
The results demonstrate that a cast film containing a nucleator in
combination with a slip agent and metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene lowers the COF of cast films relative to an otherwise
identical cast film in which the nucleator is not present. Also,
the results demonstrate that a cast film containing a nucleator in
combination with a slip agent and metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene has a COF that is comparable to the COF of a cast
film containing Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene and a slip
agent with or without a nucleator.
Thus, this example demonstrates that the addition of a nucleator
decreases the COF in both Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene and
metallocene catalyzed polypropylene. However, the change in COF for
nucleated samples relative to the COF in the control sample for
metallocene catalyzed polypropylene is greater than the change in
COF for nucleated samples relative to the COF in the control sample
for Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene.
As is evident from the FIGURE, nucleation may be used in
conjunction with a slip agent and metallocene catalyzed
polypropylene to reduce the COF of cast films.
Depending on the context, all references herein to the "disclosure"
may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In
other cases it may refer to subject matter recited in one or more,
but not necessarily all, of the claims. While the foregoing is
directed to embodiments, versions and examples of the present
disclosure, which are included to enable a person of ordinary skill
in the art to make and use the disclosures when the information in
this patent is combined with available information and technology,
the disclosures are not limited to only these particular
embodiments, versions and examples. Other and further embodiments,
versions and examples of the disclosure may be devised without
departing from the basic scope thereof and the scope thereof is
determined by the claims that follow.
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